EMERGENCY***

[ApacheChief]

I just installed Fedora on my computer with 2 drives... now I can't boot into windows. In BIOS I set my 2nd HD (with windows on it) to boot first... it doesn't get into windows. Linux works fine... I'm not sure if my files are still on the other hard drive.

Very worried, please help me out.

If there's any other info you need please be blunt with me; bat me around a little, I need help fast

 

[Ardan]

If you knew how, i'd say to rebuild your kernel with NTFS support and then see if there IS anything on that drive. In the installer, what HD did it use? Did you make sure it was using the right HD, and that you left it to the default 'delete all linux partitions only'? Furthermore, is this windows drive a Serial ATA hard drive?

If that is the case, then you need to go into linux and edit the /boot/grub/grub.conf (could be menu.lst, doubt it though) and in the windows section, add in the map command. Well, let me just show you what mine might say, for instance:

title=Windows XP Professional
rootnoverify=(hd0,0)
map (hd0) (hd1)
map (hd1) (hd0)
chainloader +1.

I think Fedora has spaces inbetween the words instead of an equals sign, so I'd do it like that. In this case, my Windows drive is a Hitachi Deskstar 7k250 SATA and the linux drive is a regular PATA drive. In some of the Fedora Core 3 tests, it was installing the bootloader to the SATA drive and it was operating fine without the map command. I always put it on the linux drive just because I like to keep the bootloader for the XP drive just 'XP' in case something goes awry with grub. This would then, of course, require me to enter into the repair console via the XP CD and type 'fixmbr' to fix that. You may want to provide more information about your system, because i'm pretty sure I could solve your problem . I would LOVE to help you out.

 

[ApacheChief]

SATA Drives.

Windows on first, Linux on 2nd.

I think I set it to delete everything, but I only set it to auto-partition on 1 drive... (I left 80 gigs on the 2nd for linux, but it wouldn't auto-partition) at the speed it went I don't think it formatted both drives. I'll get into fedora and start messing with some of the stuff you suggested.

I am so excited that you would 'LOVE' to help me out! Thanks a ton.

 

[ApacheChief]

The windows xp professional box came up in selection, but didn't load anything... maybe I have to reconfigure the map function?

 

[ApacheChief]

bump*

 

[ApacheChief]

bump again

 

[Ardan]

Sorry, I have had things to do!
Okay so then if you have to use the map function, then it probably would be something like this:

title=whateveryouwant
rootnoverify=(hd1,0)
map (hd1) (hd0)
map (hd0) (hd1)
chainloader +1

Just should basically reverse the ones.

Yeah load NTFS support in, thats huge. It shouldn't be too hard, just be in the proper /usr/src/linux-directory (I don't know if they make that symbolic link automatically) and do make menuconfig, get into the Filesystem section and hit Y for the NTFS support in the proper area.

Then it should be......make, make modules && modules_install, then make install and it should automatically change grub accordingly. Its SO nice I'm sure you must know how (I wouldn't insult your intelligence), just thought i'd mention it anyways. That way, if you can't get the map function to work, you can see for yourself if it is there. My own experience with Fedora Core 2 and Fedora Core 3 tests (haven't installed the final one yet! ) is that when you load a kernel with NTFS support, gnome (I use their default gnome stuff..its great!) sees the drives right away. I then infer that Fedora must set them up right away.

You know how to modify the fstab for your windows partition, correct? Not too hard, just make sure you add users,umask=000 in to the section pertaining to that. I would try this order:
1) Work with map as suggested, then look up info on the map command by searching google for an html manpage of grub
2) Rebuild the kernel with NTFS support if you can't get it to load XP Professional with the map command and browse the partition

Good luck! I won't be around from 9am Central to 5pm Central, being that I will be at work. Let me know if you need any additional assistance!